CEN/TC 204 - Sterilization of medical devices

This document specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of non-critical medical devices not intended to be sterilized (i.e. a medical device that is intended to come into contact with intact skin only or a medical device not intended for direct patient contact).
This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device.
Processing instructions are not defined in this document. Rather, this document specifies requirements to assist manufacturers of medical devices in providing detailed processing instructions that consist of the following activities, where applicable:
a)   preparation before processing;
b)   cleaning;
c)   disinfection;
d)   drying;
e)   inspection and maintenance;
f)    packaging;
g)   storage;
h)   transportation.
This document excludes processing of:
1)   critical and semi-critical medical devices;
2)   medical devices intended to be sterilized;
3)   textile medical devices used in patient draping systems or surgical clothing;
4)   medical devices specified by the manufacturer for single use only and supplied ready for use.
NOTE     See Annex E for further guidance on the application of the ISO 17664 series to a medical device.

Adoption of ISO 13004:2022 – This is currently in FDIS and will be publishing in October 2022.
This document describes a method for substantiating a selected sterilization dose of 17,5,
20, 22,5, 27,5, 30, 32,5 or 35 kGy that achieves a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10−6 or less for radiation
sterilization of health care products. This Technical Specification also specifies a method of sterilization
dose audit used to demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the substantiated sterilization dose.
NOTE Selection and substantiation of the sterilization dose is used to meet the requirements for establishing
the sterilization dose within process definition in ISO 11137-1.

This document provides additional guidance to that given in ISO 11137-3 on meeting the requirements specified in ISO 11137-1, ISO 11137-2 and ISO/TS 13004 for the establishment and control of a radiation sterilization process using gamma, electron beam, and X-irradiation.

2022-06-21 - lack of compliance - publication on hold

2022-01-13 - TC decision is missing to skip FV - publication on hold.

This document specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of critical or semi-critical medical devices (i.e. a medical device that enters normally sterile parts of the human body or a medical device that comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin) or medical devices that are intended to be sterilized.
This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device.
Processing instructions are not defined in this document. Rather, this document specifies requirements to assist manufacturers of medical devices in providing detailed processing instructions that consist of the following activities, where applicable:
a) initial treatment at the point of use;
b) preparation before cleaning;
c) cleaning;
d) disinfection;
e) drying;
f) inspection and maintenance;
g) packaging;
h) sterilization;
i) storage;
j) transportation.
This document excludes processing of the following:
—    non-critical medical devices unless they are intended to be sterilized;
—    textile devices used in patient draping systems or surgical clothing;
—    medical devices specified by the manufacturer for single use only and supplied ready for use.
NOTE       See ISO 17664-2:2021, Annex E, for further guidance on the application of the ISO 17664 series to a medical device.

This document specifies requirements for the characterization of a liquid chemical sterilizing agent and for the development, validation, process control and monitoring of sterilization by liquid chemical sterilizing agents of single-use medical devices comprising, in whole or in part, materials of animal origin.
This document covers the control of risks arising from contamination with bacteria and fungi by application of a liquid chemical sterilization process. Risks associated with other microorganisms can be assessed using other methods (see NOTE 1).
This document is not applicable to material of human origin.
This document does not describe methods for the validation of the inactivation of viruses and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents (see NOTE 2 and NOTE 3).
This document does not describe methods for validation of the inactivation or elimination of protozoa and parasites.
The requirements for validation and routine control described in this document are only applicable to the defined sterilization process of a medical device, which is performed after the manufacturing process, and do not take account of the lethal effects of other bioburden reduction steps (see NOTE 4).
This document does not specify tests to establish the effects of any chosen sterilization process upon the fitness for use of the medical device (see NOTE 5).
This document does not cover the level of residual sterilizing agent within medical devices (see NOTE 6).
Guidance for the characterization of a liquid chemical sterilizing agent and for the development, validation, process control and monitoring of sterilization by liquid chemical sterilizing agents of single-use medical devices comprising, in whole or in part, materials of animal origin is provided in informative Annex A.
NOTE 1  The prior application of risk management principles to medical devices utilizing animal tissues, as described in ISO 22442-1 is important. ISO 18362 provides information on control of microbial risks during processing of cell-based health-care products.
NOTE 2  Liquid chemical sterilizing agents traditionally employed to sterilize animal tissues in medical devices might not be effective in inactivating the causative agents of TSE such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or scrapie. Satisfactory validation in accordance with this document does not necessarily demonstrate inactivation of infective agents of this type. Risk controls related to sourcing, collection and handling of animal materials are described in ISO 22442-2.
NOTE 3  The validation of the inactivation, elimination, or elimination and inactivation of viruses and TSE agents is described in ISO 22442-3.
NOTE 4  Manufacturing processes for medical devices containing animal tissues frequently include exposure to chemical agents which can significantly reduce the bioburden on the medical device. Following the manufacturing process, a medical device is exposed to a specified sterilization process.
NOTE 5  Such testing is a crucial part of the design and development of a medical device.
NOTE 6  ISO 10993-17 specifies a method to establish allowable limits for residues of sterilizing agents.
NOTE 7  Standards for quality management systems (see ISO 13485) can be used in the control of all stages of manufacture including the sterilization process.

This document specifies the requirements for and provides guidance on the specification, selection, qualification, bio-decontamination, validation, operation and control of isolator systems related to aseptic processing of health care products and processing of cell-based health care products.
This document does not specify requirements for restricted access barrier systems (RABS).
This document does not supersede or replace national regulatory requirements such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or compendia requirements that pertain in particular to national or regional jurisdictions.
This document does not specify requirements for isolators used for sterility testing; however, some of the principles and information in this document could be applicable to this application.
This document does not define biosafety containment requirements.

1.1    This document specifies the general criteria for tests of sterility on medical devices that have been exposed to a treatment with the sterilizing agent which has been reduced relative to that anticipated to be used in routine sterilization processing. These tests are intended to be performed when defining, validating or maintaining a sterilization process.
1.2    This document is not applicable to:
a)    sterility testing for routine release of product that has been subjected to a sterilization process,
b)    performing a test for sterility (see 3.12),
NOTE 1    The performance of a) or b) is not a requirement of ISO 11135, ISO 11137-1, ISO 11137-2, ISO 14160, ISO 14937, ISO 17665-1 or ISO 20857.
c)    test of sterility or test for sterility for demonstration of product shelf life, stability and/or package integrity, and
d)    culturing of biological indicators or inoculated products.
NOTE 2    Guidance on culturing biological indicators is included in ISO 11138-7.

20191119 - Negative assessment addressed through BT decision C168/2019 (SV)
2019-03-07-JO-  under HAS assessment at PUB stage. E&Y Report was due on 03 March 2019- Awaiting for  the assessment report E&Y Report

20191119 - Negative assessment addressed through BT decision C168/2019 (SV)
2019-03-07-JO-  under HAS assessment at PUB stage. E&Y Report was due on 03 March 2019. Awaiting for assessement report from E&Y.
2018-10-17 - TAN : Lack of compliance

1.1    Inclusions
1.1.1    This document specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a low temperature steam and formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilization process for medical devices using a mixture of low temperature steam and formaldehyde as sterilizing agent and which operates below ambient pressure.
NOTE       Although the scope of this document is limited to medical devices, it specifies requirements and provides guidance that can be applicable to other products and equipment.
1.1.2    This document is intended to be applied by process developers, manufacturers of sterilization equipment, manufacturers of medical devices to be sterilized and the organizations with responsibility for sterilizing medical devices (see ISO 14937:2009, Table E.1).
1.2    Exclusions
1.2.1    This document does not specify requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a process for inactivating the causative agents of spongiform encephalopathies such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Specific recommendations have been produced in particular countries for the processing of materials potentially contaminated with these agents.
NOTE       See ISO 22442‑1, ISO 22442‑2 and ISO 22442‑3.
1.2.2    This document does not specify requirements for designating a medical device as "STERILE". Such requirements are given in EN 556‑1.
1.2.3    This document does not specify a quality management system for the control of all stages of production of medical devices.
NOTE       It is not a requirement of this document to have a complete quality management system during manufacture or reprocessing, but those elements of such a system that are required are normatively referenced at appropriate places in the text. Attention is drawn to the standards for quality management systems (see ISO 13485) that control all stages of production or reprocessing of medical devices including the sterilization process. Further guidance is given in E.4 of ISO 14937:2009.
1.2.4    This document does not specify requirements for occupational safety associated with the design and operation of LTSF sterilization facilities.
NOTE 1    Safety requirements for sterilizers are specified in IEC 61010‑2‑040.
NOTE 2    Attention is also drawn to the existence in some countries of regulations stipulating safety requirements.
1.2.5    This document does not cover analytical methods for determining levels or residues of formaldehyde and/or its reaction products.
NOTE 1    Attention is drawn to EN 14180.
NOTE 2    Attention is drawn to the possible existence in some countries of statutory regulations specifying limits for the level of formaldehyde residues on medical devices and products.
1.2.6    This document does not cover preparatory measures that might be necessary before sterilization such as cleaning, disinfection and packing.
NOTE       For reprocessable medical devices, the manufacturer(s) of these devices can supply information on the preparatory measures (see ISO 17664).

ISO 13408-2:2018 specifies requirements for sterilizing filtration as part of aseptic processing of health care products conducted in accordance with ISO 13408‑1. It also offers guidance to filter users concerning general requirements for set-up, validation and routine operation of a sterilizing filtration process.
ISO 13408-2:2018 is not applicable to removal of viruses.
Sterilizing filtration is not applicable to fluids that intentionally contain particles larger than the pore size of the filter (e.g. bacterial whole-cell vaccines).
ISO 13408-2:2018 is not applicable to high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
ISO 13408-2:2018 does not specify requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a process for removing the causative agents of spongiform encephalopathies such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Specific recommendations have been produced in particular countries for the processing of materials potentially contaminated with these agents.

ISO 11737-1:2018 specifies requirements and provides guidance on the enumeration and microbial characterization of the population of viable microorganisms on or in a health care product, component, raw material or package.
NOTE 1    The nature and extent of microbial characterization is dependent on the intended use of bioburden data.
NOTE 2    See Annex A for guidance on Clauses 1 to 9.
ISO 11737-1:2018 does not apply to the enumeration or identification of viral, prion or protozoan contaminants. This includes the removal and detection of the causative agents of spongiform encephalopathies, such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
NOTE 3    Guidance on inactivating viruses and prions can be found in ISO 22442‑3, ICH Q5A(R1) and ISO 13022.
ISO 11737-1:2018 does not apply to the microbiological monitoring of the environment in which health care products are manufactured.

ISO 11137-3:2017 gives guidance on meeting the requirements in ISO 11137-1 and ISO 11137-2 and in ISO/TS 13004 relating to dosimetry and its use in development, validation and routine control of a radiation sterilization process.

ISO 11135:2014 specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of an ethylene oxide sterilization process for medical devices in both the industrial and health care facility settings, and it acknowledges the similarities and differences between the two applications.

This European Standard specifies the requirements for an aseptically processed medical device to be designated 'STERILE'.
NOTE   For the purpose of the EU Directive(s) for medical devices (see Bibliography), designating that a medical device is 'STERILE' is permissible when a validated manufacturing and sterilization process has been applied. Requirements for validation and routine control of aseptic processes are specified in EN ISO 13408 1. Specific requirements for the aseptic processing of solid medical devices and combination products are specified in ISO 13408 7.

ISO 13408-7:2012 specifies requirements and provides guidance on alternative approaches to process simulations for the qualification of the aseptic processing of medical devices and combination products that cannot be terminally sterilized and where the process simulation approach according to ISO 13408-1 cannot be applied.
ISO 13408-7:2012 describes how risk assessment can be used during the development of an aseptic process to design a process simulation study for medical devices and combination products in those cases where a straightforward substitution of media for product during aseptic processing is not feasible or would not simulate the actual aseptic process.

ISO 11137-2:2013 specifies methods for determining the minimum dose needed to achieve a specified requirement for sterility and methods to substantiate the use of 25 kGy or 15 kGy as the sterilization dose to achieve a sterility assurance level, SAL, of 10−6. ISO 11137-2:2013 also specifies methods of sterilization dose audit used to demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the sterilization dose.
ISO 11137-2:2013 defines product families for sterilization dose establishment and sterilization dose audit.

ISO 11137-1:2006 specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a radiation sterilization process for medical devices. Although the scope of ISO 11137-1:2006 is limited to medical devices, it specifies requirements and provides guidance that may be applicable to other products and equipment.
ISO 11137-1:2006 covers radiation processes employing irradiators using the radionuclide 60Co or 137Cs, a beam from an electron generator or a beam from an X-ray generator.
ISO 11137-1:2006 does not:
specify requirements for development, validation and routine control of a process for inactivating the causative agents of spongiform encephalopathies such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease;detail specified requirements for designating a medical device as sterile;specify a quality management system for the control of all stages of production of medical devices;specify requirements for occupational safety associated with the design and operation of irradiation facilities;specify requirements for the sterilization of used or reprocessed devices.

ISO 13408-1:2008 specifies the general requirements for, and offers guidance on, processes, programmes and procedures for development, validation and routine control of the manufacturing process for aseptically-processed health care products.
ISO 13408-1:2008 includes requirements and guidance relative to the overall topic of aseptic processing. Specific requirements and guidance on various specialized processes and methods related to filtration, lyophilization, clean-in place (CIP) technologies, sterilization in place (SIP) and isolator systems are given in other parts of ISO 13408.

ISO 20857:2010 specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a dry heat sterilization process for medical devices.
Although ISO 20857:2010 primarily addresses dry heat sterilization, it also specifies requirements and provides guidance in relation to depyrogenation processes using dry heat.

ISO 13408-5:2006 specifies the general requirements for sterilization in place (SIP) applied to product contact surfaces of the equipment used in the manufacture of sterile health care products by aseptic processing and offers guidance on qualification, validation, operation and control.
ISO 13408-5:2006 applies to processes where sterilizing agents are delivered to the internal surfaces of equipment that can come in contact with the product.

ISO 13408-4:2005 specifies the general requirements for clean-in-place (CIP) processes applied to product contact surfaces of equipment used in the manufacture of sterile health care products by aseptic processing and offers guidance on qualification, validation, operation and control.
ISO 13408-4:2005 is applicable to processes where cleaning agents are delivered to the internal surfaces of equipment designed to be compatible with CIP, which may come in contact with the product.
ISO 13408-4:2005 is not applicable to processes where equipment is dismantled and cleaned in a washer.
ISO 13408-4:2005 does not supersede or replace national regulatory requirements, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or compendial requirements that pertain to particular national or regional jurisdictions.

ISO 13408-3:2006 specifies requirements for, and offers guidance on, equipment, processes, programmes and procedures for the control and validation of lyophilization as an aseptic process. It does not address the physical/chemical objectives of a lyophilization process.

ISO 14937:2009 specifies general requirements for the characterization of a sterilizing agent and for the development, validation and routine monitoring and control of a sterilization process for medical devices.
It applies to sterilization processes in which microorganisms are inactivated by physical and/or chemical means and is intended to be applied by process developers, manufacturers of sterilization equipment, manufacturers of medical devices to be sterilized, and organizations responsible for sterilizing medical devices.
ISO 14937:2009 specifies the elements of a Quality Management System which are necessary to assure the appropriate characterization of the sterilizing agent, development, validation and routine monitoring and control of a sterilization process.

ISO 17665-1:2006 specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a moist heat sterilization process for medical devices.
Moist heat sterilization processes covered by ISO 17665-1:2006 include but are not limited to:
saturated steam venting systems;saturated steam active air removal systems;air steam mixtures;water spray;water immersion.

ISO/TS 17665-2:2009 provides general guidance on the development, validation and routine control of moist heat sterilization processes and is intended to explain the requirements set forth in ISO 17665-1. The guidance given in this Technical Specification is provided to promote good practice related to moist heat sterilization processes and to assist those developing and validating a moist heat sterilization process according to ISO 17665-1.

TC - Modification to 4.1 and Bibliography

This European Standard specifies the requirements for a terminally-sterilized medical device to be designated 'STERILE'. Part 2 of this European Standard specifies the requirements for an aseptically processed medical device to be designated "STERILE".
NOTE   For the purpose of the EU Directive(s) for medical devices (see Bibliography), designation of a medical device as 'STERILE'  is only permissible when a validated sterilization process has been applied.  Requirements for validation and routine control of processes for the sterilization of medical devices are specified in EN 550, EN 552, EN 554, EN ISO 14160 and EN ISO 14937.

This document specifies the requirements for an aseptically processed medical device to be designated 'STERILE'.
NOTE   For the purpose of the EU Directive(s) for medical devices (see Bibliography), designating that a medical device is 'STERILE' is permissible when a validated manufacturing and sterilization process has been applied. Requirements for validation and routine control of aseptic processes are specified in EN ISO 13408-1. Specific requirements for the aseptic processing of solid medical devices and combination products are specified in ISO 13408-7.

This document specifies the requirements for a terminally sterilized medical device to be designated ‘STERILE’. Part 2 of this European standard specifies the requirements for an aseptically processed medical device to be designated "STERILE".
NOTE   For the purpose of the EU Directive(s) for medical devices (see Bibliography), designation of a medical device as ‘STERILE’ is only permissible when a validated sterilization process has been applied. Requirements for validation and routine control of processes for the sterilization of medical devices are specified in EN ISO 11135, EN ISO 11137, EN ISO 14160, EN ISO 14937, EN ISO 17665-1, EN ISO 20857, EN ISO 25424 and ISO 22441.

This document provides requirements for the development, validation and routine control of moist heat sterilization processes for medical devices. It also contains guidance which is intended to explain the requirements set forth in the normative sections. The guidance given is intended to promote good practice related to moist heat sterilization processes according to this document. The application within industrial and health care settings is considered.

This document specifies the general requirements for, and offers guidance on, processes, programs and procedures for development, validation and routine control of aseptic processing of health care products.
This document includes requirements and guidance relative to the overall topic of aseptic processing.
Specific requirements and guidance on various specialized processes and methods related to sterilizing filtration, lyophilization, clean-in place (CIP) technologies, sterilization in place (SIP) and isolator systems are given in the other parts of the ISO 13408 series.

ISO 18362:2016 specifies the minimum requirements for, and provides guidance on, a risk-based approach for the processing of cell-based health care products (CBHPs) requiring control of viable and non-viable microbial contamination. It is applicable both to CBHPs labelled 'sterile' and to CBHPs not labelled 'sterile'.
ISO 18362:2016 is not applicable to:
- procurement and transport of cell-based starting material used in processing of a CBHP,
- cell banking,
- control of genetic material,
- control of non-microbial product contamination,
- in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), or
- natural medicines.
EXAMPLE Vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homoeopathic medicines, traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines, probiotics, other products such as amino acids and essential fatty acids.
ISO 18362:2016 does not define biosafety containment requirements.
ISO 18362:2016 does not replace national or regional regulations that apply to the manufacture and quality control of a CBHP.

Migrated from Progress Sheet (TC Comment) (2000-07-10): WIs 030-033 are the result of the splitting of WI 026 (CC/000327) ++ Please contact T Vyze x 850 when progressing this project though any stage

ISO/TS 13004:2013 describes a method for substantiating a selected sterilization dose of 17,5, 20, 22,5, 27,5, 30, 32,5 or 35 kGy that achieves a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10−6 or less for radiation sterilization of health care products. ISO/TS 13004:2013 also specifies a method of sterilization dose audit used to demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the substantiated sterilization dose.

ISO 17664:2017 specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of a medical device that requires cleaning followed by disinfection and/or sterilization to ensure that the device is safe and effective for its intended use.
This includes information for processing prior to use or reuse of the medical device. The provisions of ISO 17664:2017 are applicable to medical devices that are intended for invasive or other direct or indirect patient contact.

ISO 14160:2011 specifies requirements for the characterization of a liquid chemical sterilizing agent and for the development, validation, process control and monitoring of sterilization by liquid chemical sterilizing agents of single-use medical devices comprising, in whole or in part, materials of animal origin.
ISO 14160:2011 covers the control of risks arising from contamination with bacteria and fungi by application of a liquid chemical sterilization process. Risks associated with other microorganisms need to be assessed.
ISO 14160:2011 is not applicable to material of human origin.
ISO 14160:2011 does not describe methods for the validation of the inactivation of viruses and transmissible spongiform encephalopath (TSE) agents.
ISO 14160:2011 does not describe methods for validation of the inactivation, elimination, or elimination and inactivation of protozoa and parasites.
The requirements for validation and routine control described in ISO 14160:2011 are only applicable to the defined sterilization process of a medical device, which is performed after the manufacturing process, and do not take account of the lethal effects of other bioburden reduction steps.
ISO 14160:2011 does not specify tests to establish the effects of any chosen sterilization method upon the fitness for use of the medical device.
ISO 14160:2011 does not cover the level of residual sterilizing agent within medical devices.
ISO 14160:2011 does not describe a quality management system for the control of all stages of manufacture.

2012-10-15 GVN: Draft for // vote received in ISO/CS (see notification of 2012-10-12 in dataservice).
2012-01-19 EMA: Draft for // ENQ received in ISO/CS (see notification of 2012-01-18).

ISO 13408-6:2005 specifies the requirements for isolator systems used for aseptic processing and offers guidance on qualification, bio-decontamination, validation, operation and control of isolator systems used for aseptic processing of health care products.
ISO 13408-6:2005 is focused on the use of isolator systems to maintain aseptic conditions; this may include applications for hazardous materials.
ISO 13408-6:2005 does not supersede or replace national regulatory requirements, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or compendial requirements that pertain in particular to national or regional jurisdictions.

ISO 11737-2:2009 specifies the general criteria for tests of sterility on medical devices that have been exposed to a treatment with the sterilizing agent reduced relative to that anticipated to be used in routine sterilization processing. These tests are intended to be performed when defining, validating or maintaining a sterilization process.

ISO 25424:2009 specifies requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a Low Temperature Steam and Formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilization process for medical devices.
ISO 25424:2009 is intended to be applied by process developers, manufacturers of sterilization equipment, manufacturers of medical devices to be sterilized and the organizations with responsibility for sterilizing medical devices.
ISO 25424:2009 covers sterilization processes that use a mixture of low temperature steam and formaldehyde as sterilant, and which are working below ambient pressure only.

ISO 13408-2:2003 specifies requirements for sterilizing filtration as part of aseptic processing of health care products. It also offers guidance to filter users concerning general requirements for set-up, validation and routine operation of a sterilizing filtration process, to be used for aseptic processing of health care products.
ISO 13408-2:2003 is not applicable to removal of viruses. Sterilizing filtration is not applicable to fluids containing particles as effective ingredient larger than the pore size of a filter (e.g. bacterial whole-cell vaccines).

ISO - Taking over of an ISO Technical Corrigendum

ISO 11737-1:2006 specifies requirements and provides guidance for the enumeration and microbial characterization of the population of viable micro-organisms on or in a medical device, component, raw material or package.

ISO 17664:2004 specifies the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer on the processing of medical devices claimed to be resterilizable, and medical devices intended to be sterilized by the processor. ISO 17664:2004 specifies requirements for the information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer, so that the medical device can be processed safely and will continue to meet its performance specification.
Requirements are specified for processing that consists of all or some of the following activities:
a) preparation at the point of use;
b) preparation, cleaning, disinfection;
c) drying;
d) inspection, maintenance and testing;
e) packaging;
f) sterilization;
g) storage.
When providing instructions for these activities, medical device manufacturers are expected to be aware of the training and knowledge of procedures, and of the processing equipment available to the persons likely to be responsible for processing. It is likely that some processing procedures will be generic and well known and will use equipment and consumables conforming to recognized standards. In this case, a reference in the instructions is all that is required. For those medical devices where instructions for use are not required to accompany the medical device, other means of communicating the information can be used, e.g. user manuals, symbols or wall charts supplied separately.
The principles of ISO 17664:2004 may be applied when considering the information to be supplied with medical devices which only require disinfection prior to re-use.
ISO 17664:2004 is not applicable to textile devices used in patient-draping systems or surgical clothing.